An Epiphany

This is not a movie review.  This is real life, in real time.

I just experienced something so profound I simply can not keep it to myself.  Let me start with a beautiful image, taken with my own phone, sitting in my living room just moments ago.

 

Is this not the most gorgeous sunrise you have ever seen?  Do you know how long it has been since I have watched the sunrise?  My Father, O.L. Chastain, always talks about how beautiful the morning is.  He has watched the sunrise from a deer stand too many times to count.  He has sipped coffee with his crossword puzzle and watched a sunrise a million more.  He is a brilliant man.  A man I need to spend more time with.  I need to get my priorities straight.  But that's not why I am writing this morning.

 

I woke up about 4:30am, an hour later than usual.  But instead of checking twitter and falling back to sleep, I got up for a bottle of water, settled into my rocking chair and flipped on the DVR.  Dish recorded something without my permission; turns out it was  a great HBO show called "The Newsroom" which I hadn't seen before.  I watched it - and loved it.  Working for a small midwestern television station isn't the same as working at CNN - I get that.  But the adrenaline, the personalities, the devotion are all the same.  News is a drug.  So I feel like God set the stage for my day by allowing me to watch this show and think about my job.

 

I snuggled back into bed;  on tv was talk about Boston.  I decided to turn it off and closed my eyes.  I said to myself "be still".  Meditate.  Relax.  

 

 

We ALWAYS sleep with the curtains drawn.  Sometimes they are closed for days.  But yesterday, while cleaning, I pulled them open.  We got home late from a wonderful evening with friends, and neither of us thought to close them.  So as I am laying in bed, I see this beautiful sunrise.  And I hear the birds chirping.  Something I never hear because of the background noise of our tv.  God again - setting the stage.  Beautiful sunrise and an even more beautiful chorus.

 

And then He did this.  This is what came to me as I "was still".

 

I saw my high school bedroom.  I wallpapered my bedroom with magazine advertisements.  I loved them.  It was my dream to be a "copy writer", I am not sure I even knew exactly what that meant.  But I wanted to write advertising - and I wanted to move to New York City.  That was about 30 years ago.  I can't believe that much time has gone by.  When I was dreaming of being in advertising and moving to New York City, there was no internet, there were no cell phones.  There was just a skinny girl in Missouri buying Cosmopolitan and Glamour at the local drugstore.  But man I dreamed of the day....

 

I didn't go to college after high school.  Instead I made a series of horrible choices, stupid mistakes and barely made it out alive.  Somehow by the grace of God I also came out of the fog with three beautiful daughters who make me proud, who make me crazy, but most importantly they teach me the meaning of unconditional love and family.  They are counted as three of my best friends.  We rarely go a day or two without talking or texting or chatting - I do not take that for granted for one minute.

 

 

I did go to college in 2000.  I majored in Public Relations where I learned a little bit about writing and met some really cool people like Peggy Robinson. (Now that I think about her, that's another blog I need to write)

 

 

I made a living working as an administrative assistant to many great people over the years, and I have done many interesting things.  I have gone places and met people and seen things alot of people only dream about.  But I never became a copywriter.  I never moved to New York City. 

 

For the past four years, I have worked as an Account Executive for KQTV in St. Joseph, MO.  I love my job.  I really like most of the people I work with.  My daily job is to go out and sell advertising.  And I do - I go out and meet people and talk to them about my station and my website.  If I do it well enough, I then allow myself to go play "on the other side of the building" - the Newsroom.  Which I love.  It is so exciting to sit over there and here the police scanners and watch Bridget multi task like nobodies business.  And now I get to go on air every Thursday and talk about movies and share this blog. 

 

 

When I was "being still" this morning, listening to the birds, I wasn't sure what was going to happen.  I wasn't sure what God wanted me to know.  So when the movie started playing in my head, I was so overwhelmed with emotion I started to cry.  I looked at the clock - it read 5:55am.  I thought to myself - never forget this moment.  Your life has just been changed.

 

I haven't thought about my advertising wallpaper in years.  It never occurred to me that God had lead me to a place where I could fulfill my dream.  Last week, Diane Wampler gave me some advice about selling - she told me to stop selling my station and start selling ideas.  So I tried that and it worked.   I may not be a copywriter in New York City, but I am working in advertising for a television station that has been the source of news to northwest Missouri for 60 years.  I am given the freedom to make my business whatever I want it to be.  I have the opportunity to work with businesses and pitch them any advertising idea I can come up with.  For some reason, I had never put it all together until this morning at 5:55am. 

 

God answers prayers.  Sometimes it just takes 30 years.  And sometimes we need to shut off the tv, open the windows and be still so we can hear him.

 

As I wrap this up, I am watching a bunny play in the green grass and a robin is sitting on my windowsill.  I couldn't get that in New York City.  This is going to be a great day.

 



My Review of 42

Long before we ever knew of Hank Aaron or  Ken Griffey, Jr.  there was Jackie Robinson.

Any baseball fan knows who Jackie was - the first African-American to play Major League Baseball, but very few can understand exactly WHAT he was. Until now.   Chadwick Boseman - whose resemblence to Jackie Robinson is uncanny - delivers an award winning performance.  His ability to show all facets of this incredible man was spot on.  Minority, Athlete, Lover, Father, Teacher, Forgiver.  It's raw emotion - which is my cup of tea when it comes to great movies.

You don't have to be a baseball fan to fall in love with this movie.  It's mostly a movie about how much the human spirit can endure - at times, I felt sick to my stomach with the epitaphs he had to endure.  This prideful man - always impeccably dressed and absolutely gorgeous (you know me - it's all about the eye candy) - was constantly tested.  He faced more ridicule and injustice than any person should have too - always turning the other check.  It's hard to say if he would have stayed so focused, if not for the promise he made to his manager, Branch Rickey:

"Jackie Robinson: You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?

Branch Rickey: No. I want a player who's got the guts *not* to fight back.

Jackie Robinson: You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I'll give you the guts. "

Branch Rickey was a man of great morals who believed the game of baseball - as well as the America it represented- should offer opportunities to people with talent - no matter the color of their skin.  He was 65 years old when he met Jackie Robinson and put it all on the line.  I fell in love with this man.  But I wasn't in love with Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey.  There was just something that was off for me - I can't put my finger on it.  (Side note - my husband; a HUGE baseball fan, thought Ford was SPOT ON.  He knows the story of Branch Rickey - so if Jay says he did a great job, than who am I to argue?)

Lastly, this movie was a love story.    Nicole Beharie plays the love of Jackie's life, Rachel.  Nicole mentioned in an interview how thrilled she was to be able to consult with Rachel Robinson during the making of this film.  She is convinced, as is everyone who actually knew the couple - that this was a story of "WE" not "I".  They truly faced this journey together - she was his biggest fan, his counselor, his lover and his best friend.  She was a very beautiful, very strong woman who continues to work towards the greater good.  She is quoted as saying "I want young people to know you can go through terrible times, but if you form strong relationships...you can make a difference."   Great stuff.

This strong cast also included one of my favorite actors, Lucas Black (of Slingblade fame); TR Knight (Grey's Anatomy) and Andre Holland who plays the African American baseball writer hired by Rickey to guide Jackie through his newfound fame.   One of my favorite lines is delivered by Holland, I can't remember it exactly but it goes something like this:  "You aren't the only one with something at stake here.  Haven't you ever wondered why I sit in stands with my typewriter in my lap instead of sitting in the press box?"

Jackie Robinson is the heart and soul of Baseball, of America, of tolerance and change.  We should all take a page from his book, a book that "42" does a fine job of sharing with us all.

Date Night With My Momma - The Sapphires

The who?  That's what I said when I got the screening invite to watch The Sapphires...  

This movie wasn't on my radar, but it looked like a better option than sitting at home on a Monday night. 

Once I watched the trailer and realized the event was about a mile from my Mom's house, it was a no-brainer to invite her along.  She is a push-over for feel good movies especially if they are from the 60's and include good music. 

Me and my momma: we had a blast! 

Check out the trailer: 

It doesn't take you long to understand why this movie received a ten minute standing ovation at last year's Cannes Film Festival. 

Dave Lovelace is an alcoholic emcee (played convincingly by Chris O'Dowd) who meets four Aboroginal girls from Australia singing country music.  Even though the girls come from extremely humble surroundings; even though they face racism and hatred every day of their lives, they have this determination and absolute belief they are destined to be stars. When they see a newspaper ad seeking "musical acts to entertain the troops in Vietnam", they enlist Dave to help them get there.



One of my favorite scenes; Dave teaching the girls how to put a little soul in their serenade: (about 1:30 into this clip)

There are quite a few laughs and a handful of scary moments.  The scenes shot in Vietnam were beautiful; the vulnerability of the girls very believable.

I think you will be quite surprised by the ending - I know I was.  I think you will find yourself dancing in your seat - I know for sure Mom was.

No,  its not a blockbuster, but it is a fun, uplifting little film.

Olympus Has Fallen..and so have I...for Gerard Butler

Whether you want an action movie (think Die Hard) or you simply like eye candy (Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Dylan McDermott are totally delicious), this movie won’t disappoint.

Director Fuqua (Training Day et al) doesn’t waste any time bringing the viewer to the edge of their seat – within 10 minutes we are rooting for Special Agent Mike Banning (Butler).  Forced to make a life or death decision for the President of the United States, he knows his own life will never be the same.

Fast forward a year, Banning watches something so horrific unfold outside his “desk job” window he can hardly believe his eyes. He suddenly becomes “the best hope we’ve got” at taking back the White House and freeing the President who has been kidnapped by terrorists – hundred sof them, who were hiding in plain sight. Walking and working among the landscape of Washington DC, completely unnoticed.  His chance for atonement was our darkest hour.

I stared in shock as I watched tourists become terrorists and trash trucks explode.  I couldn’t help but think “could this really happen?”  Because Olympus was shot over a year ago, it seemed surreal to watch the White House crumble at the hands of North Korean terrorists.  That hit a little too close to home in our current political environment.

Lots of carnage & fantastic special effects abound.  

Gerard Butler carries the movie with all the self sacrifice you would expect from  a true Secret Service Agent.

Olympus makes you proud to be an American.   No one shouts patriotism louder than Oscar winner Melissa Leo as our Secretary of Defense, who says “The Pledge of Allegiance” as she is being dragged through the dead bodies of her colleagues.

The only criticism I have is the casting of Morgan Freeman as Speaker of the House.  He seemed too old and too tired.  I wish Fuqua would have brought Denzel Washington along for the ride.  

I felt a little skittish walking to the car when it ended.  I nervously avoided strangers, actually wondering if someone was about to pull out an assault rifle.  In other words, I found the movie pretty believable.

Intense

Brutal

Worth It

I give this a 7 out of a 10 (I don't like silly jokes in the middle of a terrorist takeover, and I really REALLY dislike seeing people stabbed in the eyeball)

The Perks of a Movie that Feels like Home



 

The Perks of Being A Wallflower - 2012

 

 

I recall seeing previews for Perks when it was tossed around during Awards season.  I thought it sounded like  Pretty in Pink circa 2012.  A coming of age movie, an age I had outgrown many, many years ago. 

 

Boy was I wrong.

 

 

I still keep secrets buried deep under my laughter and silliness.  Maybe MY STORY was the reason this movie hit so close to home. 

 

Or maybe HER STORY made this so surreal.  She is my Charlie.  My Patrick.  My Brad.  My Hero.  We will never stop trying.  This - this most difficult job. 

I sobbed the deep sobs of a Mother who is failing her child.

 

There is a consistent feeling throughout the movie – that feeling when your heart is right at the top of your throat.  And if you make a peep,  your entire soul will pour out onto the floor.  That feeling of impending doom….something really, really bad is about to happen and there is nothing you can do to stop it. 

 I thought “if Charlie were real..", but isn’t he?  Don’t we all know a Charlie?  Or at least think we do?    If Charlie were real – he would be the bravest, greatest young man on the planet.  And no one would ever know.  No one would ever take the time – or the risk - to know him.

 

When the movie ended and the music went silent, I was sad to see them go. As I watched the credits fade, it was my deepest wish they all would find not only the love they felt they deserved, but the love all misfit toys deserve.  The love of one really good friend.

A Saturday Night in Oz....Sort Of

I went to see Oz the Great & Powerful in 3D last night.  I knew going in this was not the Oz of my youth - a movie wrapped tightly with annual living room picnics of frozen pizza and root beer.  Ah, happy days.



I had done my homework, and knew Warner Brothers held copyrights to not only the Ruby Slippers, but the "specific green" of the Wicked Witch and her chin-wart.  I knew this one would be different.

What I didn't expect was Disney to turn this classic tale of friendship & bravery into a "Fatal Attraction in Willy Wonkaland"

First, we have a beautiful young maiden throwing herself at the feet of a fake magician, practically begging him to ruin her life.  Lucky for her, James Franco's Oz sends her packing.  It might have been a bit more believable if James Franco's smile wasn't so greasy.  The guy had about as much charm as a modern day pimp. 

Next we have a random encounter (think "Diane Lane's windy day scene in Unfaithful") between Oz and another beautiful young maiden, albeit a bat-shit crazy one.  Somehow he manages to have her falling at his feet in under two minutes, just by asking her to dance.

Michelle Williams definitely carries the movie - she is a beautiful "Glinda the Good" and she delivers the best line of the movie, said to Oz "The only person you have fooled is yourself." There's a pretty big life lesson......

There is no question,  the 3D special effects are spectacular.  And if you thought the flying monkeys were scary in the original, be ready.  These flying ape/baboon/monkey monsters are flat-out terrifying.  (The little river fairies really freaked me out too.)

Probably the biggest disappointment was the casting of the Wicked Witches Theodora (Mila Kunis) and Evanora (Rachel Weisz).    Their heaving breasts in every scene was completely lost on me. If you know me, you know I am not a prude.  I love a nice looking breast as much as anyone.  They just seemed wierd in this movie.  The only explanation must be a sweet treat offered for all the soccer dads who were dragged kicking and screaming to the movie in the first place.

And this is the best scary wicked witch look they could come up with?  They really missed the mark.  She didn't look scary.  She just looked like a puffy, seasick super model.  Oh, and of course, with heaving breasts.

 

To sum it up, it was an enjoyable movie.  I didn't get bored, and didn't think about leaving.  I know I am still in "Oscar Movie Withdrawal".  You have to admit - the movies from 2012 will be hard acts to follow.

If you have tweens in your life, this movie will be a fun way to spend a Saturday night.  But do it in 3D or stay home.

I would give it 5 corkscrews out of 10, if I could figure out how to make them.  But I can't so I will keep working on that.

 

 

 

Top Ten Movies - A Manly Perspective

Since my first blog was about MY favorite movies of all time, I thought I should share a male perspective.  For that, I turned to my BFF and Lover, Jay Erdman.  He could only come up with one movie.  The Outlaw Josey Wales.

 

No kidding....he could only name one movie.  From 1976.  He would have been 16 years old when he saw this movie.  (He went to see Brokeback Mountain with me, but I doubt he's brave enough to list it here.) 

 

 

So I decided to ask around.  Turns out, a new friend of mine, Mark Antle (owner of the classic Leibowitz Fine Menswear), also happens to be a movie buff.  Who knew?  I asked him to come up with his top ten movies of all time.  So without further ado:

 

 

Mark's Top Ten Movies of All Time (in no particular order)

 

 

1.  The Godfather - 1972 - Starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino

 



 

 

2. Jaws - 1975 - Directed by Stephen Spielberg 

 

  

 

3.  Raiders Of The Lost Ark - 1981 - Starring Harrison Ford

 



 

4.  Stand By Me - 1986 - River Phoenix (I also loved this movie.)

 

 

5.  Pyscho - 1960 - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock & starring Anthony Perkins & Janet Leigh

 

6.  Tombstone - 1993 - Starring Kurt Russell, Sam Elliott & Val Kilmer



7.  Jurassic Park - 1993 - Mark's second Stephen Spielberg movie to make the list.

 

8.  The Lord of the Rings The King Returns - 2003 - (Film 3 of the Trilogy)

 

9.  It's a Wonderful Life - 1946 - Jimmy Stewart

 

 

10.  The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - 1962 - Another Jimmy Stewart film - PLUS John Wayne

 

 

So there you have it. A man's vote. I bet every man in America has a John Wayne film in his top ten. At least any man with taste.

Thanks, Mark for letting me into you world!